‘Bleach’ anime comes to an end after 22 years
MANILA, Philippines — After 22 years, the anime adaptation of Tite Kubo’s “Bleach” has reached its finale with the release of the 50th and final episode of “Thousand-Year Blood War.”
The episode aired on Monday, October 26, followed by a special ending video featuring characters from the series and the staff who worked on the anime.
The official accounts also released “Bleach the Stories,” a video combining 15 illustrations of protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki in his different forms, from the "Substitute Soul Reaper" arc to “Thousand-Year Blood War.”
“Bleach” first aired in October 2004. It follows Ichigo, a teenager who gains the powers of a Soul Reaper, or Shinigami, and uses them to protect humans from supernatural threats.
Based on Kubo’s manga, the series became one of the best-known shonen animes, a genre generally aimed at young male audiences.
Fans watched Ichigo unlock his Bankai, awaken his Visored powers and struggle with his inner Hollow. He also ventured into Hueco Mundo to rescue Orihime Inoue and faced Sosuke Aizen in one of the series’ major battles.
Ichigo’s journey introduced fans to memorable characters, including his loyal friends Orihime Inoue, Yasutora “Chad” Sado and Uryu Ishida, as well as Soul Reapers Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai. Fan favorites also include the composed captain Byakuya Kuchiki, the young captain Toshiro Hitsugaya, the eccentric Kenpachi Zaraki and the enigmatic Kisuke Urahara.
The original television anime, produced by Studio Pierrot, ran for 366 episodes before ending in 2012. The story returned in 2022 with “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War,” which adapts the manga’s final arc. Its animation production was handled by Pierrot Films, a production brand under Studio Pierrot.
The adaptation was released in four parts: the first in 2022, “The Separation” in 2023, “The Conflict” in 2024 and “The Calamity” in July 2026.
Character designer Masashi Kudo also illustrated a bonus image for the fourth “Thousand-Year Blood War” Blu-ray and DVD collection and the cover of “Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Original Soundtrack III.” Both releases are scheduled to arrive in Japan on March 24, 2027.
The finale ends a 22-year run for “Bleach,” which has drawn fans across generations through Ichigo’s battles, transformations and struggles.
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